SUNDERLAND's teenage midfielder Nicolas Medina is poised for a Premiership breakthrough according to his colleague and fellow countryman Julio Arca.

South American starlet Medina, 19, has struggled to make the transition into the English league following his £3.5m transfer from Argentinos Juniors in June.

The Argentinian schemer was also handicapped earlier in the season by a mystery virus that resulted in him being put on an intraveneous drip in hospital. But according to Arca, who played with him in South America, Medina is now starting to settle in on Wearside.

And the winger reckons it won't be long before his mate is making his mark on the Premiership.

Arca said: "Nicolas is a lot happier now. He's had a run of bad luck since he arrived at the club, but he has been patient and now I think he's starting to establish himself.

"He has played a few games for the reserves and he is keen to show Peter Reid what he can do in the first team.

"I've tried to help him settle in because I know how difficult it can be for somebody coming to a new country. There are so many things to take on board.

"But I remember how good Emerson Thome was with me last year. He really helped and it was great to have him around, and if I can do the same for Nicolas I'll be happy.

"I admit my English is not the best yet, but I've been able to help him along a little with the language. That's the single most important thing in feeling settled.

"He is a very talented player who the fans will take to, and I'm convinced he can still make a big impact on the Premiership in the very near future."

Boss Reid has sensibly refused to rush the youngster, who he bought for the long term at the Stadium of Light. But fans would be happy if Medina helped to fill the gap left by the departure of Don Hutchison and Alex Rae.

Hutchison returns to Wearside with West Ham on Saturday and can expect a mixed reception.

Meanwhile Bernt Haas has accepted the apology of Liverpool boss Phil Thompson, who refused to shake his hand after the sending off of Dietmar Hamann for a two-footed tackle on Haas at Anfield on Sunday.

Haas was initially upset but the Swiss international defender insisted yesterday: "The matter is finished." Haas still maintains that Hamann deserved to be sent off, even though the Reds have appealed against the red-card verdict of referee Steve Bennett.

He said: "In football now you can't make tackles like that. If I had done it I would have expected to go. You never want to see players sent off but that's the way the game is now. However, the Liverpool manager made a point of apologising and that's good enough for me."

Haas's booking in the same game, his fifth of the season, has ruled him out of the match against Chelsea on Sunday week.